Réamhaisnéis limistear na farraige

Forecast valid from: 06:00, Thursday 16 April 2026 until 06:00, Friday 17 April 2026

Small Craft Warning

1. Southwest to west winds will reach force 6 or higher at times on Irish coasts from Loop Head to Malin Head to Carlingford Lough on Thursday morning.

2. Southerly winds will reach force 6 or higher on Irish coasts from Roches Point to Loop Head to Bloody Foreland on Thursday afternoon, extending to all Irish coasts later.

Gale Warning

South to southwest winds will occasionally reach gale force 8 early on Friday on Irish coastal waters from Valentia to Slyne Head to Erris Head.

Atlantic Swell

On western and southwestern coasts this morning (Thursday).

Meteorological Situation at 03:00 UTC

Ireland lies in fresh to near gale force southwest airflow. A weak, transient ridge of high pressure builds over the country ahead of a developing low of 995hPa centred around 560 nautical miles southwest of Valentia.

Gale Warning: In effect

Small Craft Warning: In effect

Heavy Swell (>4m) : yes

Wave Height Forecast

Forecast for Bloody Foreland to Howth Head to Roches Point and for the Irish Sea

Wind: Southwest force 4 to 6 and gusty. Imminent backing southwest to south. Later backing mainly south to southeast and increasing force 5 to 7 and gusty.

Weather: Fair to cloudy with isolated showers. Becoming cloudy soon with rain, drizzle and mist spreading from the southwest. Rain clearing from the west towards the end of the period followed by showers.

Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.

Forecast for Roches Point to Loop Head to Bloody Foreland

Wind: Southwest force 4 to 6. Imminent backing southwest to south. Soon increasing southerly force 5 to 7 and gusty. Later increasing mainly force 6 to gale force 8 and gusty.

Weather: Fair to cloudy with isolated showers. Becoming cloudy soon with rain, drizzle and mist spreading from the southwest. Rain clearing from the west towards the end of the period followed by showers.

Visibility: Reducing moderate or poor in precipitation and mist. Otherwise good.

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 06:00, Saturday 18 April 2026

Fresh to near gale southerly winds reaching gale force in the west and northwest for a time Friday morning and early afternoon. Winds veering southwest to west later and decreasing moslty moderate to strong. Weather; Rain, drizzle and mist clearing eastwards Friday morning followed by fair to cloudy conditions and scattered showers. Showers turning heavy and prolonged at times in the northwest

Forecast issued at: 06:00, Thursday 16 April 2026

All times are local unless specified